Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-02-22
THE LEGISLATIVE SCANDAL.
Secretary Smith Tells What He Knows
About the Files,

About the Files.
The principal topic of discussion yester-
day was the expose of official crooked
made before an Assembly investigating
committee Saturday evening. The fact that
the committee held its session with closed
doors kept the public from learning,
through the medium of the press, the ex-
act occurrences, ana in consequence the
names of many honest legislators have been
severely handled since by gossip.
Many individuals yesterday, among
them number of legislators expressed a
disbeliefin the statements made by Smith,
but investigations made by press represent
atives seemed to corroborate his each and
every statement. Smith was at his post
all day, as was also Falk, and stranger
would not notice from their appearance
that anything unusual Rad transpired or
was likely to occur that would disturb their
equanimity in the least. Falk moved
about smiling upon every one, and appa-
rently treated the whole matter as fabri-
cation and a tirst-class joke. 1t was no.
ticed that Smith did not frequent the Ser
gent-at-Arms' room, nor the lobby as
frequently as he usually did; in fact, he
stuck close to his file all day, and at the
recess hour skipped Oft to his boarding
place in hurry.
Last evening the examination was re-
sumed in room 55 on the third floor. The
services of shorthand reporter were Sc
cured, and the committee ready to proceed
at o'clock. Smith addressed the Chair
man, and said he desired that the further
taking of his testimony be in executive
session. He said he requested this from
the fact that he had been threatened, and
the publication Of the testimony he ex-
pected to give under oath would be of such
character that certain individuals would
seek to do him bodily harm. Sunday
night he came out of the Golden Eagle
quite late, and discovered two men whose
actions aroused his suspicious, and he was
convinced they were Laying for him."
He went back into the hotel, afterwards
slipped out and went around through the
avoid them. AS far as Mr.. Falk was con-
cerned he had no objections to his remain
ing.
The committee were all DESTROYS OF con-
Quoting the examination with open doors,
but as Mr.. Smith was persistent in his re-
quest, the newspaper representatives and
others withdrew.
Ray Falk, who was present stated that
he desired the fullest examination. He
would prefer to have the examination pro-
coed with open doors. The newspaper re-
ports so far had been fabrications, and he
and his family had suffered in consequence.
If the newspaper representatives. were
allowed to remain the public would get the
true facts He said when he was through
with the investigation the committee
would understand that he was not guilty
as charged, that all that he had been ac-
of a
clearly indicated.
The reporters snd others then withdrew,
leaving the committee alone with Smith
and the shorthand reporter. Mr. Heath
asked Mr. Ellsworth to conduct the ex-
animation.
Mr.. Ellsworth said he would like to re-
view somewhat the testimony already
given in order TO have it taken down. He
then asked witness several questions rela-
tive to statements he had already made re-
garding Senator Moffitt and Henry's opium
bill.
Smith took from his pocket letter, and
handing it to Mr. Ellsworth, said: Throw
your optics onto that. l guess there's no
forgery about it.
The letter was read by the shorthand re-
porter as follows:
Dear Ed: Please don't forget to shove down
that bill. You did not do it last evening
MoFFITT.
1t was printed on a letter head of the
Senate Committee on City, City and County
and Township Governments, and has
printed thereon, Hon. Frank J. Moffitt,
Chairman" 1t was not dated, but the wit
ness gave the date The witness also said
he afterwards met Moffitt, and the latter
said to him, You have - again.
You have knocked yourself out of $75,
and me out OF $500.
This statement made by Mr.. Moffitt can
be corroborated by a reliable witness who
was present, and from whom a representa-
tive of this paper learned the facts.
1.-THE &C mmittee were very anxious to know
what Smith knew about Henry, from
Butte. and his opium bill. He was ques-
toned very closely on this point, and re-
heated all he had said the evening before,
giving few additional facts. He claimed
that the press had misrepresented him by
saving that Henry demanded $500. Henry
named no amount. When he told Henry
that Motfitt desired 10 have the bill held
hack. he said, " You don't do nothing of
The kind. --. until they fix me. Moi
fit can't make all there is in it, Henry
told him again, at the Golden Eagle, that
Moffitt had to % fix him fur he would push
the measure.
- 10 snow you Sstlu OulllH, tudl ne
was not sincere, his bill stood ct the head
of the file for several days, and Henry each
dav would ask to have it passed on file
He was questioned very closely as to the
language used by Henry and the manner
of the man in using it. Witness replied
that he looked, acted and talked like man
who meant to do little " fixing; thought
he was III earnest.
Mr.. Ellsworth then asked relating to
the Oakland lawyer who had endeavored
to tempt the clerk with coin. Smith then
gave a brief history of the DILL which gives
Miss Pfeiffer S17 600 for little water right
at Berkeley and which has been in the
hands of L. E Buckley, and showed the
following letters, which show conclusively
that the attorney was aware of the little
tricks necessary to advance questionable
claim on file. The letters are all GATED ct
the Palace Hotel.
Ed. T. SnitI-DEaR SIR Don't fail to get hiii
25 10 nav estate of Aurelia Pieiffer. etc. on the